GOP’s Demapan: I’m taking this challenge to the next level

Dr. Ignacia Demapan, an educator for 23 years, officially accepted on Wednesday night the Republican Party’s nomination of her as their candidate for delegate to the U.S. Congress in the Nov. 6 election.

Demapan, the current principal of Kagman Elementary School, accepted the nomination before a considerable crowd of Republicans and their supporters including party chairman Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, her father former Saipan mayor Juan B. Tudela, and her husband of 35 years Antonio S. Demapan.

The GOP’s gathering was held at the governor’s private residence in Gualo Rai.

“I wanted to do something different,” Demapan told Saipan Tribune after giving a speech. “I guess I already felt that what I am doing currently, I have done enough and I like to take it at the next level.”

Demapan said the lack of political experience wouldn’t be a problem.

“I don’t think lack of political experience should make a person not do what they think that they can do. I believe that with your education, it’s possible to do anything and nothing is stopping me. I want to do it and that’s my desire. I’m taking this challenge to the next level,” she added.

In her prepared speech, Demapan said her focus will be education, healthcare, energy, and the economy.

“A lot of legislation has already been enacted but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement,” she said.

So far, Demapan is the only one challenging two-term Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (Ind-MP).

Fitial and Sablan do not see eye-to-eye on a host of issues. Fitial wanted to have Sablan replaced with a Republican to be aligned with the national GOP, among other things. Sablan has been running as an independent, but he aligns with the Democrats in U.S. Congress.

The governor said Demapan is modest about her achievements.

“I think that if people would compare the qualities that she possesses with that of the incumbent, I’m sure there’s a big gap,” Fitial said in an interview with reporters at the GOP gathering.

Fitial said Demapan “respects people’s person, she doesn’t grandstand, she’s very humble.”

“I hope that she will get the confidence of the majority of the people because we really need somebody who understands the challenges that we have. I am very pleased that she finally decided to take on this challenge,” he said.

The governor also said Demapan, fondly called “Acha,” is not a newcomer to politics.

“She has more experience in politics than a lot of people that you think because her father has been in politics for a long time and she’s been running his campaign,” he added.

Demapan’s husband Antonio, in a separate interview, said he’s proud of his wife’s decision to run for office and that “the whole family supports her.”

“She’s going to have a landslide win. She also has lots of family on Rota,” the candidate’s husband said.

He added that his wife is a good person, honest, and hardworking.

“Earning a PhD (a doctorate degree) while working full-time as a principal, that’s a hardworking lady,” her husband said.

The GOP earlier picked Joeten-Kiyu Public Library executive director John Oliver “Bolis” Gonzales as their delegate candidate but he declined “for personal reasons.”

Demapan, who has been an educator for 23 years, began as a teacher at San Antonio Elementary School and Marianas High School before becoming a vice principal at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School. She served as vice principal and acting principal at Tanapag Elementary School. In 2000, she became principal at Kagman Elementary School. She earned her doctorate in psychology last year.